The accused was charged with assault and manslaughter in relation to the death of his infant son, who suffered catastrophic brain injuries consistent with violent shaking or acceleration-deceleration trauma.
The Crown’s case was circumstantial and relied on medical evidence, witness testimony, admissions made to acquaintances, and evidence of post-offence conduct.
Expert evidence established that the injuries were non-accidental and occurred within a narrow time window during which the accused was caring for the infant.
Additional circumstantial evidence included prior rough handling of the infant, incriminating statements to a former partner, and flight from the jurisdiction after the incident.
Considering the cumulative effect of the evidence, the court concluded that the only reasonable inference was that the accused inflicted the injuries causing death.
